Broward County School Board Votes to Scrap Clear Backpack Initiative
By Kristen Hernandez
In a quick reversal during a contentious Town Hall meeting on June 13, the Broward County School Board voted 5-4 to do away with their clear backpack initiative because of parent and student backlash. Reaction from residents have been mixed, with some saying Broward missed the point on how to keep kids safe during the school year.
“My son is 13 years old, and he is terrified for his life,” Jennifer Walker told Villij News. “I’m for anything Broward County does to keep my kids safe. My son shows me text messages almost daily from other kids talking about how they’re going to ‘shoot up’ the school. I’m for uniforms, too, because little girls go to school like they’re going to a club. Like I said, I’m for anything to keep our babies safe.”
Broward County School Board took to Twitter (@browardschools) to post their announcement, saying, “The Board voted to not implement the clear backpack initiative for the 2023/2024. As a result, clear backpacks will no longer be discussed at…the Special School Board Meeting on July 25, 2023. The District appreciates the community’s engagement and feedback on clear backpacks and other safety policies under consideration.”
Residents also took to Twitter and tweeted their support for the decision.
“This would not have stopped anything. If someone was intent on bringing a weapon, they’d put it in their waistband or tape it to their body while carrying a clear backpack,” Jamainca653 wrote on Twitter. “What you need to vote on is metal detection, not invade the privacy of the student body.”
At least one metal detector wand has already been implemented at all Broward County Schools in 2022, however, parents feel they need more. Wanding for weapons is already taking place at football and basketball games. The School Board said with all the social media threats and actual weapons found on campus in 2022, it is absolutely necessary.
For any Broward School Board updates or to view the Town Hall Meeting, visit their website for more information. www.browardschools.com/clearbackpacks
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